Bathing suit



Nov. 10, 1936. 6 D, READ 2,060,689

y BATHING sum Filed oct. a, 1935 Patented Nov. 10,. 1936 PATENT OFFICE BATHING SUIT Dorothy Read, Miami, Fla., assignor to Jantzen Knitting Mills,

Application October 8,

7 Claims.'

This invention relates to a bathing suit and has for its object to provide, in a manner as herein-- after set forth, a suit of the class referred to capable, when attached to the body of the wearer, to create a new effect and different exposure while still preserving modest concealment.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a suit of the class referred to having a split neck line down the front to the waist giving complete chest freedom and exposure to the sun without exposure of the bust.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a suit of the class referred to including covering portions for the bust, each bust covering portion having the major part thereof partially transparent and the remaining part non-transparent positioned to conceal the apex of the bust thereby preventing any immodest display, but giving a maximum opportunity for sunlight on the body.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a suit of the class referred to so constructed that when worn, while concealing immodest exposure, reveals and permits sunlight on practically every part of the body.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a suit of the class referred to so constructed that when worn provides for an inverted V-shaped exposure o-n each thigh.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a suit of the class referred to so constructed that when worn gives an unusually extensive back exposure below the normal waist line without indecency.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a bathing suit simulating the appearance of a shermans net.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a suit of the class referred to so constructed that when worn it will develop the ultimatein permitting exposure of the body to water and sun in a new and attractive manner without violating the usual limits of modesty in connection with the use of the suit. l

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a suit of the class referred to including an outer section of large lattice-like form (wide mesh) and an inner section of extremely small lattice-like (narrow mesh) form. The inner section preferably being Portland, Orcg.

1935, Serial No. 44,089

of flesh color and the outer section simulating a shermans net.

Al further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a suit of the class referred to simulating a shermans net 5 and having ornamentations formed of buoyant material such as cork.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a suit of the class referred to including an outer section formed of cords connected together to provide such section in the form of a wide lattice, and an inner section of a material of smally mesh or small lattice and of a contrasting color with respect to the color of the outer section.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a suit of the class referred to formed of a single body unit consisting of a fabric exterior section with largefinterstices and a fabric interior section of small interstices and with the inner section pref-` erably of flesh color.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a suit of the class referred to having the major portion thereof partially transparent and its remaining portion non-transparent. The said remaining portion constituting a reinforced part from concealing the crotch of the wearer and parts for concealing the apices of the bust of the wearer.

. A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a suit of the class referred to including a body unit formed with means, which when the garment is worn, will provide for a snug yielding fit at each side of the bust and across the buttocks, thighs and abdomen. A

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a bathing suit which is strong, durable, attractive, thoroughly eiicient for the purposes intended thereby,

conveniently attached in position on the wearer, formed of a unitary body and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and are as illustratedin the accompanying drawing wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is `to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scopel of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the suit as applied to the wearer and further illustrating a cape of lattice-like or large net material partly covering the suit,

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are respectively front, side and rear elevations of the suit as applied to the wearer,

Figure 5 is a frontyelevation of the body of the suit extended, with the exception of the suspension therefor, and in non-applied position,

Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the body of the suit completely extended,

Figure 7 is a sectional detail, andv Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view illustrating a modified form of inner body section.

'I'he suit consists of a one-piece body formed of an outer section I and an inner section 2.

LThe said sections are of like form and' arranged in superimposed relation. The outer section I is formed of a pair of oppositely disposed plies of fabric of like contour having their inner edges secured together for a portion of their length. The fabric forming section is of large latticelike or large mesh form. That is to say, the elements of section I, i. e., threads or cords which provide the plies of section I have large interstices therebetween so that the said outer section I will simulate the appearance of a fishermans net. The inner section 2 is formed of two superimposed like parts, each consisting of a pair of oppositely disposed plies of fabric of like contour having their inner edges secured together for a portion of their length. The fabric forming the section 2 is of a small lattice-like or small mesh form. That is to say, the threads which provide each part of the inner section 2 have small interstices therebetween. The interstices of the section 2 are materially smaller than the interstices of the section I. In Figure ArrI of the drawing the form of the fabric which provides the outer section I is indicated at 3 and the form of the fabrics which provide section 2 are designated 4, 5. The inner section is to contrast in color to that of section I and preferably the section 2 will be of iiesh color.

The sections I, 2 are of like contour and iiush with each other. The body of the garment has its edges throughout bent upon its inner face to form a fold 2a (Figure 7) which is anchored to the inner face of the body of the suit by suitable stitching 5B, as shown by way of example, Figure '1. 'I'he fold, when anchored, provides the inner face of the body (Figure 3) with the hems 6,1, 8, 9, I0, II, I2, I3 and I4.

The body of the suit includes a partial trunk forming portion and which is shown bypway of example as a. lower part I5 ofinverted substantally Y-shaped contour. The part I5 includes a curved tapered stem I6 and a pair of oppositely extending outwardly inclined legs I1, I8 of like form and each of which gradually decreases in w dth from the stem I6 to the outer edge thereof. The edges |65, I6b of the stern IS are opposltely outwardly curved. The outer ends I9, 20 of the legs I1, I8 respectively-are oppositely inclined. 'Ihe outer side edges 20, 2| of the legs I1, I8 respectively are oppositely curved. The inner side edges 22,'23 of the legs I1, I8 respectively are oppositely curved and merge into each other at their inner ends. The body of the suit also includes a flared intermediate part 24 which is oppositely disposed with respect to and has its smaller end merge into the larger end of the stem I6. The edges 24, 24b of the part 24 are K oppositely outwardly curved. The body of the suit also includes a tapered upper end part 25, merges at its larger or inner end into the larger end of the part 24. The part 25 includes a pair of oppositely tapered pointed portions 26, 21 of a length slightly less than the length of part 25. 'I'he outer Side edges 28, 29 of the portions 26, 21 respectively are oppositely curved and with the curve extending inwardly from its inner end. The inner side edge 30, 3| of the portions 26, 21 respectively are oppositely curved and with the curve extending outwardly from its inner end,

to a point adjacent its outer end. The point of mergence of the part 24 with the part 25 provides each side of said body, at said point, with a tapered lateral projection. The projections are designated 32, 33. The hems 6, 1 extend inwardly on the inner face of part I5 from the edges 20, 2| respectively. The hem 8 is common to and extends inwardly on the inner face of part I5 from the edges 22, 23. The hem 9 is common to and extends inwardly on the inner face of parts I5 and 24 from the edges I6, 24a. The hem I0 is common to and extends inwardly on the inner face of parts I5 and 24 from the edges |611, 24D. r'I'he hem II extends inwardly on the inner face of portion 26 from the edge 28. The hem I2 extends inwardly in the inner face of portion 21 from edge 29. The hem I3 extends on the inner face of portion 26 from edge 30 towards hem II. The hem I4 extends on the inger face of portion 28 from edge 3| towards edge Fixed within that portion of hem 9 which extends from edge 2|) is an elastic member 34. Fixed within that portion of hem I0 which extends from edge 2| is an elastic member 35. Fixed Within and of less length than the hems I I, I2 are elastic members 36, 31 respectively. Fixed within and corresponding in length to that of hems I3, I4 are elastic members 38, 39 respectively. The manner in which an elastic member is arranged and secured within a hem is shown in Figure 7. The elastic members are in the form of iiat tapes.

Secured to a part of the inner face of stem I6 and extending upon and xed to the inner end of part 24 is a non-transparent fabric strip 40 which constitutes a concealing means for the crotch of the wearer,l as well as a reinforcement for the crotch portion of the suit. Secured upon the inner face of the tapered portions 26, 21 are nontransparent circular fabric pieces 4I, 42 respectively which constitute concealing means for the apices of the bust of the wearer. The tapered lateral portions 32, 33 have secured to their inner faces fabric reinforcing members 43. The leg I1, at its outer end, is provided with a plurality of spaced eyes 44. The leg I8, at its outer end, has secured thereto a plurality of spaced hooks 45. The extension 32 has an eye 46 attached to its outer end. The extension 33 has a hook 41 secured to its outer end. The outer end of tapered portion 26 has attached thereto an eye 48. The outer end of tapered portion 21 has attached thereto a hook 49.

The outer end terminal parts of the tapered portions 26, 21 coact with the eye 48 and hook 49 to form a neck band, as indicated at 50 (Figure 5) for suspending the suit on as well as coupling it to the wearer. The parts 24 and 25 form the garment with a suspendible upper portion for application to the chest, bust, waist, stomach, abdomen, upper sides, hips, front portions of the thighs and lower portion of the back covering part as indicated at 5|, Figures 2, 3 and 4. The extensions 32, 33, eye 46 and hook 41 coact to secure the part I against the body of the wearer. The elastic members 35, 36, 31 and 38 carried by the tapered portions 26, 21 provide for the part 5I snugly and yieldingly engaging the lbody of the wearer adjacent each side of the bust. The part I5 provides the garment with a lower suspended portion for application to the rear portions of the thighs, the buttocks, a stomach covering part and a body band, as indicated at 52, Figures 2, 3 and 4. The legs I1, I8, eyes 44 and hooks 45 coact to form the body band of part 52 and for securing the part 52 against the body of the wearer. The elastic members 34, 35, carried by the legs I1, I8, provide for the lower edges ofpart 52, when the latter is worn, to snugly and yieldingly engage the buttocks, thighs and stomach of thewearer. The portions of the parts 5I, 52 bordering the point of mergence between said parts coact to provide a crotch covering part as indicated at 53, Figure 5. The portions 26, 21 of part 24 coact when they are connected together to form the upper portion of `the part 5I with an elongated slot gradually increasing in width from its inner to its outer end, as indicated at 54, Figure 5. The

Yparts 5I, 52, when mounted upon the body of the wearer, overlap in a manner at the thighs of the wearer to form an inverted large V as indicated at 55, Figure 3.

The body of the garment is provided with ornaments formed of buoyant material, such as cork. With reference to Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5'there is shown a series of superposed ornaments 56 secured to the outer face of the part 5I at the bottom of slot 54. With reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5 there is shown a pair of flexible members 51 provided with tassels 58 and carrying ornaments 59. The members 51 are arranged at the center of one end of and extend from part 53. The ornaments 56 are arranged at the front and the ornaments 59 at the back of the suit when the latter is used.

With reference to Figure 1, a cape is indicated at 80 and ornamented, as at 6I. The cape is formed of a material simulating the appearance of a shermans net. The cape may form a part of the main suit ensemble.

With reference to Figure 8, it shows a modified form of inner body section designated 62 and which is of closely woven suitable resilient fabric, which, by way of example, may consist of the well known jersey cloth. In Figure 8 the outer body section is indicated at 63. Otherwise than that as stated, the form shown in Figure 8 would be the same as that shown in Figures 1 to '1.

What I claim is:

1. A bathing suit comprising a body formed of a net-like outer fabric section and a net-like inner fabric section, the outer section having the interstices thereof materially larger than those of the inner section, said sections being of the same contour, said body including an inverted substantially Y-shaped lower part, an intermediate ared part and an upper tapered part, the inner end of the Y-shaped part merging into the smaller end of said intermediate part, said upper part forming oppositely disposed extensions and a pair of spaced tapered portions, the edges of the said several parts being curved, coacting means carried by said tapered portions for de tachably connecting them together, coacting means carried by said extensions for detachably connecting them together, and coacting means carried by the outer ends of the Y-shaped part for detachably connecting them together.

and an upper tapered part, the inner end of the i Y-shaped part merging into the smaller end of said intermediate part, said upper part forming oppositely disposed extensions and a pair of spaced tapered portions, the edges of the said several parts being curved, coacting means carried by said tapered portions for detachably connecting them together, coacting means carried by said extensions for detachably connecting them together, coacting means carried by the outer ends of the Y-shaped part for detachably connecting them together, the major portion of said body being partially transparent, and the remaining portion of said body being formed of spaced nontransparent parts.

3. A bathing suit comprising a body including an inverted lower substantially Y-shaped part, an intermediate part and an upper flared p'art, the inner end of the Y-shaped part merges into the smaller end of said intermediate part, the said upper flared part forming oppositely disposed extensions, and a pair of spaced tapered portions, the edges of the said several parts being curved, coacting means carried by said tapered portions for detachably connecting them together, coacting means carried by said extensions for detachably connecting them together, and coacting means carried by the outer ends of the Y-shaped part for detachably connecting them together.

4. A bathing suit comprising a body including an inverted lower substantially Y-shaped part, an intermediate part, and an upper ared part, the inner end of the Y-shaped part merges into the smaller end of said intermediate part, the said upper ared part forming oppositely disposed extensions, and a pair of spaced tapered portions, the edges of the said several parts being curved, coacting means carried by said tapered portions for detachably connecting them together, coacting means carried' by said extensions for detachably connecting them together, coacting means carried by the outer ends of the Y-shaped part for detachably connecting them together, the major portion of said body being partially transparent, and the remaining portion of said body being formed of spaced non-transparent parts.

5. In a bathing suit a unitary body formed of a tapered upper part provided with oppositely disposed extensions at its lower end and with a pair of opposed tapered portions extending lengthwise from4 the widest portion of said part and at right angles tosaid extensions, a ared intermediate part having its upper end merging into the lower end of said upper part, an inverted Y-shaped lower part merging at its upper end into the lower endy of the intermediate part and' being formed of a stem and a pair of oppositely extending legs, coacting means on the said extensions for connecting them together, coacting means on said tapered portions for connecting them together, and coacting means on said legs for connecting them together.

6. In a bathing suit a unitary body formed of a tapered upper part provided with oppositely disposed extensions at its lower end and with a pair of opposed tapered portions extending lengthwise from the widest'portion of said part and at right angles to said extensions, a ilared intermediate part having its upper end merging into said upper part, an inverted Y-shaped lower part merging at its upper end into the lower end of the intermediate part and being formed of a stem and a pair of oppositely extending legs, said tapered portions being provided with means for connecting them together, said extensions being provided with means for connecting them together, said legs being provided with means for connecting them together, said tapered portions being of a length to extend from the said widest portion of said upper part to the upper end of the latter, said intermediate part being of less length than said upper part, said lower part being of greater length than said intermediate part, and said legs being of greater length than said stem.

7. A garment comprising a at piece of material forming the front and rear thereof, the upper part of said front being formed with a neck opening and the lower part being tapered, means for connecting the side edges of the front together between the upper and lower parts thereof, a substantially Y-shaped extension forming the back part of the garment, the stem of the Y being secured to the tapered part of the front and forming -a crotch portion, the legs of the Y being adapted 

